Evolution of Agricultural Extension Models in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Critical Review (Published)

This is a paper review of the work presented at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, United Kingdom. Using library research and reflection, document, journal papers and content analysis were used to generate data.  The Sub Saharan African region covered in the paper is that of seven countries.  The paper describes the role of agricultural extension models in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well traces the various extension models currently being developed or implement in Sub-Saharan Africa, namely; the top down approaches; from international institutions/ national governments and participatory approaches/bottom-up that engage farmers in decision making.  Currently, there are six basic extension approaches/models in diverse stages of development and implementation in developing countries.  These models have been structured in a more analytical way around key themes; top down; participatory; demand-led; group versus individual targeting; private sector and free/paid extension services.  The reality is that pluralism of models has been employed in various forms in most countries in Sub-Sahara Africa. The paper critically examined seven models, including National Public Extension Model, Training and Visit (T&V) Extension Model, Private Sector Model, Fee-For-Service Extension Models, Farmer Field School Model, Non-Governmental Organization Extension Model, Commodity Extension and Research Model.

Keywords: Extension services, Model, evolution, participatory, sub-Saharan Africa, top down

Effect of Crop Intensification Program on Maize Production in Nyagatare, Rwanda (Published)

This study was conducted in Nyagatare district located in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Its objective was to assess the effect of the Crop Intensification program (CIP) on maize production in Nyagatare district.   Improved seeds, Inorganic fertilizers, Extension services and Land Use Consolidation were the major variables for consideration in this study and assessment was made as to the contribution they made to maize production in CIP in the study area .  The study focused on 24 cooperatives with 97 respondents. It used qualitative approaches to generate the opinion of respondents where data was not readily available and also quantitative methods where both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data was collected using questionnaires from random sample of 97 farmers, and it considered the socio-economic characteristics of farmers while Secondary data was collected from different sources, like Ministry of Agriculture, District offices, Agriculture Sector working Group (ASWG) reports , books, reports and internet.. The research used correlation and regression techniques  Research findings revealed that youth and educated people’s engagement in agricultural activities  is minimal, that Extension services has not influenced maize production significantly and also that men constitute a bigger proportion of the agriculture work force than women  creating a gender gap in the sector. Improved seeds influence significantly maize production more than other independent variables in this study

Keywords: Agricultural inputs, Agro-dealers, Cooperatives, Crop Intensification program, Extension services, Land Use Consolidation, Production, Productivity

Effect of Crop Intensification Program on Maize Production in Nyagatare, Rwanda. (Published)

This study was conducted in Nyagatare district located in the Eastern Province of Rwanda. Its objective was to assess the effect of the Crop Intensification program (CIP) on maize production in Nyagatare district.   Improved seeds, Inorganic fertilizers, Extension services and Land Use Consolidation were the major variables for consideration in this study and assessment was made as to the contribution they made to maize production in CIP in the study area .  The study focused on 24 cooperatives with 97 respondents. It used qualitative approaches to generate the opinion of respondents where data was not readily available and also quantitative methods where both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data was collected using questionnaires from random sample of 97 farmers, and it considered the socio-economic characteristics of farmers while Secondary data was collected from different sources, like Ministry of Agriculture, District offices, Agriculture Sector working Group (ASWG) reports , books, reports and internet.. The research used correlation and regression techniques  Research findings revealed that youth and educated people’s engagement in agricultural activities  is minimal, that Extension services has not influenced maize production significantly and also that men constitute a bigger proportion of the agriculture work force than women  creating a gender gap in the sector. Improved seeds influence significantly maize production more than other independent variables in this study .

Keywords: Agricultural inputs, Agro-dealers, Cooperatives, Crop Intensification program, Extension services, Land Use Consolidation, Production, Productivity